A series of skill-building projects will introduce you to the joys of working with clay. The basic skills of pottery-making will be introduced through step-by-step instruction in clay preparation, hand-building techniques, finishing, decoration and glazing methods, and firing processes. Each intermediate-level student will select an area of concentration and, while working in series, explore techniques and projects designed to build skill and aesthetic awareness.

This two-day demonstration workshop will cover ergonomic techniques including throwing exercises to increase efficiency and master level throwing skills. Each participant is encouraged to examine the physical forces affecting the movement of clay through combined lecture and hands-on instruction.

Eastern Coil is one of the most valuable hand building techniques for the construction of asymmetrical forms. A master potters' tradition, Eastern Coil combines coil technique with the potter's wheel concepts, providing the greatest wet structural strength for clay sculpture. The workshop will include information on three-dimensional composition, design and international aesthetics.

Two full days of hands-on, in-depth experiences in throwing and finishing plates and large platters. You will learn structural strength concepts, methods for centering, a variety of throwing techniques, options for finishing, firing theory, and composition. Bring your tools, bats, and 50 lbs. of clay.

From the earliest times, potters have endowed their creations with individuality by the handling of the surface and form. Explore the expressive quality of the clay, form, surface finish and decoration techniques, using a variety of clays, firing temperatures and techniques such as pit fire, raku, gas and wood fire, and surface decorations including various types of glazes, slip, terre sigillatta, stains, and over glaze and under glaze colors. The knowledge and use of universal concepts of composition will be emphasized along with the development of the student¹s individual aesthetic statement.

The two-day workshop, designed for intermediate and advanced potters, will focus on basic and advanced information on glaze application. The workshop will be a combination of lecture, demonstration, and hands-on exercises. Learn to "read the bisque" to make appropriate finishing choices that will balance or strengthen the composition. Learn techniques that will facilitate the glazing process. Discuss procedures to standardize within your studio to facilitate consistent results. The workshop is designed to build skills, refine techniques, increase efficiency and solve glazing problems. Please register early enough to receive a materials list and to make pots for glazing.

Four workshops packed into nine days! After four days of intensive throwing, we will trim, bisque fire, and glaze successful work and fire all of the work in the gas kiln. Learn concepts crucial to structural strength, build skills, refine techniques, and increase efficiency in throwing, trimming and glazing. Learn procedures to facilitate consistent results within your studio. We will finish with in depth instruction in firing theory. To earn three college credits contact the Hood College Registrar at 301-696-3620.

The four-day intensive hands-on workshop, designed for intermediate and advanced potters, will focus on advanced throwing skills. Designed to build skills and refine technique, the workshop will cover concepts crucial to structural strength, including throwing exercises to increase efficiency and master level throwing skills. Class size is limited to twelve people. Bring your tools and 150 lbs. of the clay you are currently using. A selection of advanced tools will be available for experimentation.

A follow-up to the masters throwing workshop, this four-day intensive workshop for intermediate and advanced potters will concentrate on advanced throwing skills. The workshop will focus on individual needs, provide more in-depth coverage of specific concepts, and continue to build skills and refine technique. Bring your tools and 100 lbs. of the clay you are currently using. The workshop is limited to 14 participants who have already taken the masters throwing workshop.

Applied ceramic design and construction covering a variety of methods of hand-building to take a sculptural direction. Instruction in three-dimensional design and structural strength concepts in relation to hand forming with clay. Techniques will include eastern coil, slab construction, modeling the figure, surface treatment in hand-building and firing considerations for scuptural forms. Individual sketches and projects, including critiques, will serve to aid in the development of exhibition criteria with emphasis on technique, finishing and firing choices.

Anyone working with clay needs to understand the material in order to make informed choices. The course will provide necessary information about the primary material used by potters. Topics will include a study of the properties of clay and clay bodies desired by the studio potter; the correlation of knowledge of materials to desirable properties for specific ceramic procedures, i.e. hand-building, throwing on the potter's wheel, ceramic sculpture, raku, salt and wood firing; techniques for testing and correction of body formulae for throwing or hand-building clays in stoneware and porcelain; information about formulation, testing and correction of slips, terra sigillata and glaze base for specific clay bodies.

A study of the properties of glazes and the materials used to develop original glazes and adjust existing glazes for stoneware and porcelain. The course will include directed studio research and laboratory testing with selected topics in glaze composition, clay/glaze relationship, color, texture and materials.

Joyce Michaud has escorted students on international trips to explore ceramics abroad. Details will be posted when the next trip has been planned.